POLICE swooped on three homes in Wilmslow last week, arresting three men and one woman in a dawn drugs raid.

More than 150 police officers from across Cheshire were involved in Operation Strikeout - combating drug dealing across the borough - and sending out a zero tolerance message.

Part of an ongoing covert operation to tackle drug dealing on the streets of Wilmslow, the operation followed a raid in Macclesfield in February.

It followed months of planning and undercover police work to take out suspected drug dealers who moved in to replace those arrested in an earlier operation.

After a briefing at a secret location, officers from the constabulary’s Vector unit, kitted out in protective body armour and armed with battering rams and sledge hammers, forced entry into three homes on Colshaw Farm between 5.30am and 6am last Wednesday.

Warrants were issued in a phased approach and after gaining access, officers from Wilmslow’s Neighbourhood Police Unit searched the buildings and arrested four people.

Wilmslow NPU Inspector Luke McDonnell said: "It’s the result of several months undercover activity in the Macclesfield borough area and a significant amount in the Wilmslow policing area."

At the earlier briefing Cheshire Police Superintendent Geraint Jones, said: "After the arrests in February people told us they noticed an immediate effect on the streets.

"Areas which had been plagued by drug dealing were free of it and that is the way it should be."

He said this was the second phase of the operation to strike out drug dealing, tackle criminality, especially drug use and class A supply.

Supt Jones added: "This second wave operation was always part of the plan. Right from the start we intended to take out anyone who believed they could step into the shoes of the people who were taken into custody in February. As before this morning’s action follows months of under-cover work by officers who have infiltrated the drug dealing network and put together files of evidence."

He added: "Drug dealing is a crime which is at the root of many social problems. Apart from the disastrous effects on drug addicts themselves, it drags down any neighbourhood where it is taking place."

He said it also generated other crimes and contributed to anti social behaviour.

Insp McDonnell said: "Providing some reassurance for the public is a vital part of this type of operation, as is the back-up provided by partner agencies for drug addicts who are suddenly deprived of their supplier.

"Those back-up measures were put in place as soon as the arrest part of the operation was over. The agencies will offer addicts support if they want to seize the opportunity to break their habit." He added: "We also need to get the message home to people that our campaign against drug dealing and drug abuse is persistent and continuing. Our best support for that and our campaign against all types of crime is information from the public. We want to know about anyone who is living the good life through criminal exploits and through the misery of other people."

Any information on drug dealing can be reported to the Cheshire Police Information line on 0845 458 0000; the Wilmslow NPU on 0845 458 6374 or Crimestopper on 0800 555 111.